# Volleyball Middle Hitter Drill: Run the Middle!

> Master middle hitter drill: run the middle! with this drill. Develop ball control skills, movement, and accuracy with proven coaching points for practice.

## Quick Specs
- **Sport**: Volleyball
- **Duration**: 10-15 Minutes
- **Intensity**: Medium
- **Web URL**: https://volleyballxpert.com/drills/details/run-the-middle
- **Court Diagram**: https://volleyballxpert.com/images/volleyball/drills/350X250/88.png

## Objective
Develop consistent technique, court awareness, and team communication in ball control, blocking, hitting, middle hitter, passing, pass-set-hit, serve defense, serving, setting through high-repetition game-like execution.

## Setup & Court Layout
- Players: 1 server, 1 middle blocker, 3 passers, 1 setter, 1 middle hitter

- Court: Full court, focusing on serve receive into middle attack

- Equipment: Volleyballs, net

- Roles: Server initiates play, passers receive, setter sets, middle hitter attacks, blocker defends

## Step-by-Step Instructions
- Server begins each rally with a legal serve over the net.

- Three passers receive the serve and attempt to deliver a controlled pass to the setter.

- The middle hitter transitions into position, calls for the set, and prepares to approach.

- Setter delivers a set to the middle hitter.

- The middle hitter executes a full approach and attack.

- The middle blocker attempts to block the attack.

- Continue until the middle hitter completes a preset number of successful attacks (e.g., 8–10 good hits in-bounds and with pace).

- Switch roles: middle hitter rotates to blocker, blocker rotates out, and the next hitter steps in.

- Suggested reps: Each middle completes 1–2 rounds of 8–10 quality attacks, about 4–6 minutes total per hitter.

## Key Coaching Points
- Middle Communication: Hitter must call the set early to give setter time to react.

- Passing Focus: Passers should aim for a perfect pass to keep the middle option available.

- Setter-Hitter Connection: Reinforce consistent tempo and timing between setter and middle.

- Blocking Pressure: Middle hitter should read the block and adjust shot selection.

- Common Game Situation: Mirrors live serve receive into quick middle attacks against a block.


This drill is excellent for building the setter-middle hitter connection while also reinforcing the importance of serve receive accuracy to run the offense.

## Variations & Progressions
- Rotation Variation: Alternate multiple middles—hit, then block, then wait, then repeat.

- Tempo Setting: Have the setter deliver quick-tempo or delayed sets to challenge timing.

- Scoring System: Award points for kills (ball lands untouched in-bounds) and track totals.